Table or the like



Oct. 4, 1955 A. c. Hovl-:N ET AL 2,719,771

TABLE 0R THE LIKE Filed March 27, 195s 2 sheds-sheet 1 ATTORNEY Oct. 4, 1955 A. c. Hovx-:N ET A1.

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INVENTORS Alfred C. Hoen lliam JJ. Lzzclezlg ATTORNEY United States Patent() TABLE R THE LIKE Alfred C; Hoven, Walter E. Nordmark, and William S. Lindberg, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignors to American Seating Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 27, 1953, Serial N o. 345,132

3 Claims. (Cl. 312-255) The present invention relatesito tablesror the like, and more particularly to classroom tables of the single-pupil type.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide an improved table in which is incorporated a top box assembly wherein may be stored books and supplies; to provide improved and simplified connections between the top box assembly and thesupporting columns therefor; and in general to provide such a table structure which is simple and sturdy in construction, reasonably economical in manufacture and attractive in appearance.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the new table;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof, a portion of the top element of the structure being broken away to reveal parts therebelow;

Figure 3 is a View partly in rear elevation and partly in vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2, of the upper part only of the table;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View thereof taken on line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of parts thereof prior to final assembly of the structure; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view of parts thereof taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Referring now in detail to these drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals in the several views, the table structure there shown generally comprises a top box assembly 10 mounted upon upstanding `ibular supporting columns 11 which are provided with feet 12 having toe-pieces 13 at their lower ends. This type of table, or desk as it is sometimes referred to, is used in conjunction with a chair to provide classroom seating for one pupil.

The novelty of the present invention resides in the particular construction of the top box 10 and the means whereby this top box is rigidly connected to the upper ends of the supporting columns 11. The top box assembly comprises a substantially horizontal, preferably wood,

top element 14 which serves as the work surface for the table, and a metal sheet fabricated to form a substantially horizontal shelf or bottom element 15, upstanding side walls lo and a front wall 17. These side walls 16 and front wall 17 are desirably embossed outwardly to form strengthening panels as illustrated. The front wall 17' has its opposite ends flanged rearwardly as at 18 (see Figure 2) and secured to the side walls 16 as by spot welding. The side Walls 16 and front wall 17 have outwardly turned flanges 19, 2l) respectively on which rest the top element 14.

The bottom element of the top box assembly is provided with openings 21 adjacent the side walls 16, through which openings extend the upper end portions of the supporting columns 11. Brackets 22 are mounted on the upper end portions of the supporting columns 11 and extend vertically between the top element 14 and bottom element 15. Each of these brackets 22 com- 2,719,771 Patented. ocu 4, Y1955 prises a Aweb portion 23, (see Figures 3 5) secured to theinner surfaceof the adjacent column 11 as by means of spot welding indicated `at 24,' sideportions'25, 26 extending outwardly from the webadjacentthe front and rear surfaces respectivelyV of the column,- and` end portions 27, 28 extending lforwardly andvrearwardly respectively from the side portions alongside the adjacent side wall 16. 'pper anges. 29 extend outwardly from the upper ends ofthe .end portions 27, 28 of bracket22 and fit into depressions 30 (seeFigure 5) formed in Vthe llanges- 19 of the adjacentsidewall 16. Another upper flange 31. extends inwardly from the web portion 23 of each bracket 22. The lower -end of each bracket 22 extends through the adjacent opening 21-.in the bottom element 15 and istprovided withfaA lower-flange l32r extending inwardly adjacentthe undersideof said bottom element 15. T-nuts 33 are secured asabywelding to the upper surface of the bottom element15fabove the lower flange 32 and at opposite sideslof the column 11.

The..several vpartsofthe; structure hereinbefore de-4 scribed are secured in-assembly by suitable fastening means.r As here shown, bracketsf22: are secured to the upper ends of columns 11 by spot-welding 24 as hereinbeforer described. The bottonnelement y15 of the top box assembly 10 is.secured to'brackets 22 by means of screws 34 passing upwardly through registering apertures in the brackets lower flange 32 and the bottom element 15, and threaded in the T-nuts 33. The wooden top element 14 is secured to the brackets 22 and to side walls 16 by means of wood screws 35 which pass upwardly through registering apertures in the upper flanges 19'of side walls 16 and in the upper flanges 29 of brackets 22, the wood screws 35 being turned into the wood of the top element 14. Additional wood screws 36 are passed directly through apertures in the ilanges 19, 20 of the side walls 16 and front wall 17 respectively and into the top element 14. Still other wood screws 37 are passed upwardly throughV apertures in the upper flanges 31 of brackets 22 and into the top element 14. The resultant structure is very sturdy and is capable of withstanding much'hard usage. v

The bottom element 15 has a trough 38 formed therein adjacent its rearward edge at the open rear of the top box assembly. This trough 38 is convenient for the deposit of pencils and other small articles, while larger articles such as books are stored within the box and Withdrawn therefrom when desired through the open rear of the top box.

It will thus be seen that the invention provides a simple and sturdy construction for a classroom table, desk or the like, and while but one specific embodiment of the invention has been herein shown and described it will be understood that numerous details may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit ofthe invention as the same is defined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a table or the like: a pair of upright supporting columns; a top box assembly comprising a substantially horizontal top element and a metal sheet fabricated to provide a substantially horizontal bottom element and upstanding front and side walls, said bottom element having openings adjacent the side walls through which extend said supporting columns in flush contact with the upstanding side walls; brackets mounted on the upper end portions of saidsupporting columns and extending vertically between said top and bottom elements, said brackets each comprising a web portion secured to the inner surface of the column, side portions extending outwardly adjacent the front and rear surfaces of the column, and end portions extending forwardly and rearwardly from the side portions alongside the adjacent side wall and secured thereto; means securing the upper ends of said brackets to the top element; and means securing the lower ends of said brackets to said bottom element.

2. In a table or the like: a pair of upright supporting columns; a top box assembly comprising a substantially horizontal top element and a metalsheet fabricated to provide a substantially horizontal bottom element and upstanding front and side walls, said bottom element having openings adjacent the side walls through which extend said supporting columns in flush contact with the upstanding side walls; brackets mounted on the upper end portions of said supporting columns and extending vertically between said top and bottom elements, said brackets each comprising a web portion secured to the inner surface of the column, side portions extending outwardly adjacent the front and rear surfaces of the column, and end portions extending forwardly and rearwardly from the side portions alongside the adjacent side Wall and secured thereto; means securing the upper ends of said brackets to the top element; means securing the lower ends of said brackets to said bottom element; and means securing said top element to the upper ends of said front and side walls.

3. ln a table or the like: a pair of upright supporting columns; a top box assembly comprising a substantially horizontal top element and a metal sheet fabricated to provide a substantially horizontal bottom element and opstanding front and side Walls having outwardly turned flanges at their upper edges, said bottom element having openings adiacent the side walls through which extend said supporting columns; a bracket mounted on the upper end portion of each supporting column and comprising a web portion secured to the inner surface of thecolumn, side portions extending outwardly adjacent the front and rear surfaces of the column, end portions extending forwardly and rearwardly from the side portions alongside theadjacent side wall, upper flanges extending outwardly from the upper ends of said end portions and inwardly from the upper end of the web portion, and a lower ange extending inwardly from the lower end of said bracket adjacent the underside of the bottom element; fastening means passing through said lower ange and said bottom element for securing these parts in assembly; and other fastening means passing through said upper flanges and into the top element for securing these parts in assembly; and still other fastening means passing through the outwardly turned flanges at the upper edges of said front and side walls and into the top element for securing these parts in assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDr STATES PATENTS 608,336 Lackey Aug. 2, 1898 843,649 Wilkinson Feb. 12, 1907 1,875,377 Hanson Sept. 6, i932 2,163,049 Merrill lune 20, 1939 2,499,668 Morgan Mar. 7, 1950 2,547,296 White Apr. 3, 195i 

